Review punishment for nonviolent crimes

Expanding crime-free and drug-free zones might sound like a good idea initially, but state HB 0458/SB 0927 will be expensive and overly punitive, and ultimately won't offer any safety to school children.

Currently, there aren't any data to suggest that drug-free zones are having any impact on drug sales. Yet, it costs us $64.17 per day for each person in our jails! Not only are we imprisoning individuals for unreasonable amounts of time without seeing any decrease in drug sales, we also are separating family units and robbing our economy of individuals who might otherwise be working.

The bill would extend drug-free zones into crime-free zones that would include schools, day cares, parks, recreational centers, libraries and school bus stops and 1,000 feet within the radius. While I understand the stated intent of this bill is to offer protection to children, these crimes are still occurring in these "protected" spaces.

Crime should be punished, but this legislation punishes all the wrong parties.

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Review punishment for nonviolent crimes

Expanding crime-free and drug-free zones might sound like a good idea initially, but state HB 0458/SB 0927 will be expensive and overly punitive, and ultimately won?t offer any safety to school